Outside, outside! The storm rages on.
Purple talons, raking the stars and tearing the
night sky asunder! The low inhuman rumble that
inevitably follows is a sign that the beast has not
been satisfied yet.

The steady drone of rain, unpredictable, erratic,
random yet certain. It swells and dips, sometimes
a murmur, sometimes a scream as loud as the regal
beast it gives way to. No rhyme, no reason, a force
of nature that can not be tamed.

Inside, I am at peace. I dare not stir, for fear of waking you,
and yet your company gives me comfort. The quietest
of noises, the barest of whispers, your breath is the only thing
I hear clearly. The gentle rise and fall of your chest between my arms
reassures through steady repetition. Your smell, so exotic yet so familiar,
guides me through the night as I close my eyes and drift away.

Outside, outside! The hustle and bustle of
people irritates me. So many faces, so many
strangers, so many indifferent hearts. I am exhausted
by the constant need to have my guard up. My heart
tells me to help, to give without thought, but my mind
has become weary of the exploitation, cautious of the
vulnerability and tired of the deception.

Inside, I am finally at home. Your face is as familiar
as my own. You wear my favorite sundress,
my favorite perfume, and the mischievous smile that was the death of me.
We've danced this dance before and yet, each time you challenge me.
With quiet confidence, I rise to it and conquering your heart
once again reassures me that it was mine all along.

Outside, outside! The neverending grind has worn me down.
All the walls, I have built, to shield against the relentless assault
have become a prison. I am locked in a routine that allows me to survive,
yet takes away a little portion of my spirit each time. What little joy
I manage to find in it is akin to the brief respite a drowning man experiences.
Not enough to satisfy but the right amount to instill hope,
make me open my eyes, and yearn for the shore.

Inside, I am refreshed. You are the queen of my castle
and you've unlocked every door. Your wishes, your desires,
your whims, toss me towards adventure for I can not help
but to fulfill them. I would gladly risk my dignity, my sanity,
my life, as long as you are by my side because the reward,
your divine smile, rejuvenates me. With you, every day
is a new journey but the destination always remains fixed.

You.